Collapsible display rack



Jan. 20, 1953 w. B. TURNER 2,626,059

COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY RACK Filed June 23, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 F fiv I ,INVENTORZ Mrroxw B. Emma-R.

i as M ATTORNEY$ Jan. 20, 1953 w. TURNER COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY RACK 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 25, 1950 INVENTORZ ATTORNEYS Jan. 20, 1953 w. B. TURNER COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY RACK 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 23, 1950 IN VENTOR l2 l\\\\ \\\\IN1\ WOF/O/PD 5. TOM/ER.

BY Epfu-r-M ATTORNEYS W. B. TURNER COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY RACK Jan. 20, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 23, 1950 INVENTOR WOFFORD 5. Ti/RNER.

ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT 1 OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY RACK Woflord B. Turner, Charlotte, N. 0. Application June 23, 1950, Serial No. 169,884

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a display rack of knock-down construction and more especially to a display rack for floor covering materials such as rugs and carpets, or oil cloth, wall paper or any other type of material which may be rolled upon itself and displayed on end.

It is an object of this invention to provide a carpet rack of knock-down construction which may be easily and quickly assembled for displaying elongated articles which are substantially circular in cross-section and a rack may also be easily collapsed so as to lie flat when it is shipped or is not in use.

It is another object of this invention to provide'a carpet rack or the like of the type de scribed: which may be provided with two or more platforms disposed at different elevations and having side walls and end walls which are interfitted with one another as well as with the respective platform portions of the carpet rack, the walls associated with each of the platforms being circumscribed adjacent the upper edges thereof by a suitable binder for holding the walls in interfitted relation to each other and also to support the upper end of circular elongated objects such as rolls of carpet and the like which may rest upon exposed lower portions of the platform.

I, It is another object of this invention to provide adisplay rack -.which is substantially pyramidal in shape and is provided with means on each of its sides for'displaying objects and whichhas at least an upper and a lower display area so-that objects may be displayed at two .or more elevations and on all sides of the pyramidal rack.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the descrlption proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is an isometric view looking at one end, one side and the top of the improved display rack;

Figure v2 is a top plan view at a reduced scale of the rack shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partially exploded isometric view of the rack shown in Figure 1 but looking up at the bottom thereof and also looking at the opposite side from that shown in Figure 1;

' Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in Figure 2.;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 in Fig-'- u e Figure 6 is an elevation showing one of the endmost panels of the lower section of the rack shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 but being removed from the carpet rack for purposes of clarity;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing one of the endmost panels of the upper section of the rack shown in Figures 1, 3- and 4;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of one of the side panels of the upper section of the rack shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 but being removed from the rack for purposes of clarity;

Figure 9 is elevation of one of the side panels of the lower section of the rack shown in Figures 1,, 3, 4 and 5 also being removed from the rack for purposes of clarity.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the rack or display stand is pyramidal in shape and includes a plurality of superposed body structures or sections, there being two sections shown in the drawings, which for purposes of description, will be termed a first or lower section broadly designated at In and a second or upper section broadly designated at H.

The first or lower section l0 comprises a lower deck or first level platform I2 which is substantially rectangular in shape and to the outer edges of which suitable edge or ridge pieces [3 are suitably secured by any suitable means, such as nailing, gluing, and the like. These edge pieces l3 project upwardly a relatively short distance above the upper surface of the lower deck l2 to provide a ridge around the outer edge of the lower deck l2.

The lower deck l2 has a plurality of bores of cavities [4 in the lower surface thereof, there being one of these bores l4 spaced ad acent each of the corners or" the lower deck l2 for reception of vertical extending portions I5 of legs It, the legs It being substantially V-shaped as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The legs l6 are curved upwardly and inwardly towards the center of the lower deck I2 and are flared as at ll, each of the portions I! being slidably penetrated by a screw 20 for securing the corresponding leg I6 to the lower surface of the lower deck I2. There are many types of legs which may be employed in lieu of the legs l6, however, it is preferable that legs similar to the type described be employed since it is seen that they may be easily secured, to or removed from the lower deck.

The lower deck 12 has a pair of transversely extending slots 22 and 23 therein which are spaced from opposed ends of the lower deck l2.

These slots 22 and 23 are adapted to slidably receive tongue portions or projections 24 and 24a of respective end walls or panels and 2511 both of which are identical and the panel 25 being shown per se in Figure 6. Each of the tongues or projections 24 and 24a of the respective panels 25 and 25a has a pair of spaced slots 21 therein which are disposed in a plane below the lower surface of the lower deck I2 when the respective tongues 24 and 24a are inserted in the respective slots 22 and 23 as shown in Figure 3. Each of the slots 21 is adapted to slidably receive a wedge which bears against the lower surface of the lower deck l2 and the lower wall o'f'ther'espective slot 21 to thus hold the lower edgeof the corresponding panels 25 and 25a against the upper surface of the lower deck l2'adjacent opposed ends of the corresponding slots 22 and 23.

It will be observed in Figures 1 and 2 that opposed side edges of the first and second end panels 25 and 25a are *disposed between the proximate-surfaces-of-the ridge members 13. The lowersection of the display stand or carpet rack also includes first and-second'side walls or panels 3|"and 31a respectively which are "also identical in "structure, a detail of the side panel 3| being shown in Figure 9. "Theend panels 25 and 25a and the side panels 3| and 3111 are notched for interfittingengagement'and it willbe observed in Figures 6 through 9 thateach'of'the end panels 25 and 25a has a pair'of'sp'aced notches'or slots '32 and '33 "which extend upwardly from the lower edges thereof on each side of the't'ongue 24 while each of the "side panels 31 and 3m has'a pair of spaced notches or slots 34 and 35 which extend downwardly from the upperedges thereof and it is'thus 'seen that the upper portions of the end panels25and 25a may "be inserted in the'respective notches 34 and 35 in the side'panels 3| "and 3|a as the notches orslots32 and 33"in'the end panels2'5 and 25a are "fitted over the side panels 3| and 31a so as 'to slidably straddle the side panels 3| and "3|a,"the end'pan'els '25 and 25a and'the side panels'3l and "31a being 'interfitted in such a manner that the lower edges *of the side pane'1s'3l and3'la will rest on the upper surface of the lower deck |'2 between the endmost portions of the ridge member 13 as shown in Figures"1,'2, 4 and 5.

It will thus 'be observed that the tongue portions 24 and 24a of the end panels '25 and .2521 will extend through the slots '22 'and23 in the bottom deck l2 .and the wedges 3O may be placed in'the bores or openings 21 tothus hold 'the'e'nd panels in position. Since the end panels "are fitted over the side panels 'this will'also hold the side panels securely in position and it is not necessary to have tongues and wedges 'on the side panels. If desired the side panels may be provided with tongues'and the slots therein reversed'so the side panels will hold the end panels in position.

Since the display-stand or carpet rack is preferably to be used for displaying substantially cylindrically-shaped articles such as rolls of carpeting and the like, there is provided arail in the form of an'endless tube orbar 36 which circumscribes the upper :portions of the lower section |'0 each of the panels 25 .and25a, 3| and am being suitably notched, as as 31 forreception of the rail 36. It might be stated that, although it is not essential it is preferred thatthe circumscribing rail 36 fit-snug1y' around the upper portionsof the "outer edges of the .panels '25, 25a,.3|

4 and 3 la so as to lend rigidity to the upper end of the panels with respect to each other.

It is thus seen that the outer surfaces of the end panels 25 and 25a and the side panels 3| and 3|a are spaced inwardly from the outer edges of the lower deck |2 thus exposing the outer portion of the upper surface of the lower deck |2 so that cylindrically-shaped articles may be placed on end on the lower deck l2 and resting against the outer surfaces of the correspondin panels 25, 25a, 3| and 3|a, the rail 36 serving to hold the upper ends of the cylindrical articles against the panels 25, 25a, 3| and am.

The panels 25, 25a, 3| and 3|a define an area substantially.rectangular in plan and this area is closed by'an intermediate deck or second level platform! which is rabbeted as at 4| around its outer lower peripheral edge so as to rest on and fit snugly between the side walls 25, 25a, 3| and 3|a. Although it is not essential, the intermediate deck 45 may be secured :in position against'the upper ridges of the panels-25, 25a, 3| and3 la by any suitable means such-as screws42 which slidably penetrate the end walls 25 and 25a adjacent the upper edges thereof.

The intermediate deck or second level platform 45 is constructed substantially the same=as the lower deck |2 in that it is provided =-with a ridge member 43 suitably secured to'th'ecu'ter edges of the intermediate deck '4il and'pro'jectmg upwardly therefrom slightly above th'e horizonta'l plane of the upper surface of the intermediate deck 40 so as to provide-a ridge around the "outer edges of the second level platform-4'3.

The intermediate deck 40 also has a pair' 'o f spaced transve sely extending slots '45 and-46 therein which are adapted to be slidably penetrated by tongue portion or projections 41 and 41a of respective end walls or panels 50 and50a are identical, the end panel 50 'being shown in detail in Figure 7 as removed from the carpet-or display rack. Tongues 41 and 41a of the respective end panels 50-and 50a each of the upper section II has a slot or bore 5| therethrough which, when the respective tongue 41 and 41a are inserted in the respective slots 45 and -'46 of the intermediate deck 40, are disposedata plane substantially bisected by the plane of the lower surface of the intermediate deck '40 and each is adapted to receive a wedge 52 which bears against the lower surface of "the mterme'diate deck 40 and the lower 'wall of the corresponding slot 5| to thus secure the lower edge of the panels 50 and "50a against the .upper sufface of the intermediate deck 43.

The upper or second section also includes first and second side walls or panels 54 and 54a which are identical, the panel 54 being "shownin detail in Figure 8.

The end panels 50 and 53a andthe sidepanel 54 and 54a are notched for interfittingengagement, each of the end panels '50 and 50a being provided with a pair of spaced notches "55 and 56 which extend upwardly from the lower edges of the panels 50 and 53a. adjacent the tongues 41 and 41a, and each'of the side wall -Hand 54a is provided with a pair of spaced notches or slots 51 and 58 which extend downwardly from the upper edge of the'panels 54 and 54a and terminate at a substantial distance from the edges thereof.

Although the interfitting notches are only shown in panels '25, 3|, 50, and 54, it is to'be understood that identical v.notches :are .@provided in the respective panels 25a, 3|a, 50a, and 54a and since the panels 25, 3|, 5% and 54 are identical to the respective panels 25a, 31a, 59a and E la, a further showing thereof is deemed uniecessary. The uppermost portion of each edge of the panels 50, 59a, 54 and 54a is provided with a notch 61 which is identical to the notch 37 in the corresponding panels of the lower section it and is provided for reception of a rail 62 which is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 as an endless tubular member which circumscribes the upper portions of the panels 50, 50a, 54 and Ma and fits snugly in the notches 6! provided therefore.

It is evident that the second section H is essentially smaller than the lower or first section it with the respect to the lengths of the various walls or panels associated with the respective sections and H and the opposed edges of the walls 50, 5M, 54 and 5 5a extend to the inner surfaces of the ridge 43. It is thus seen that a plurality of cylindrically shaped articles, such as rolls of carpeting and the like, may be placed between the ridge 43 and the corresponding walls 50, 58a, 54 and 54a of the upper section H sub" stantially as is the case with respect to the lower section It and the upper portions of the cylindrically shaped articles may be retained against the corresponding walls by the rail 62.

Although it is not essentially, a cover member, third or upper deck 65 may be provided which is rabbeted as at 66 at its outer lower edges so as to fit between the end walls 5H and 59a and the side walls 54 and 5411 while resting on the upper edges thereof. If so desired, the upper deck 55, may be secured between end walls at and 59a by any suitable means such as screws 61.

A suitable ridge 10 may be secured at the outer edges of the upper deck 65 so that articles to be displayed may be placed on the upper surface of the upper deck 65 and confined thereon by the ridge member 10 surrounding the upper deck 65.

Although the display rack is shown as being provided with two sections l0 and H to provide means for displaying objects at two different elevations and on all four sides of the rack, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to a rack having two pyramidal sections but if desired the rack may have a plurality of sections each disposed at a different elevation and each section being of a smaller size than the section immediately below the same.

It is thus seen that I have provided an imr or nailing or bolting the various parts together.-

It is evident that in order to disassemble the carpet rack it is merely necessary to remove the screws 42 and 61, if such screws are employed, then lifting the intermediate and upper platforms, such as the platforms 4!] and 65, from beteen the corresponding panels after which it is merely necessary to remove the wedges 52 and 21 from the respective tongues 41, 41a, 24 and 24a of the respective panels in the second and first sections H and [0. Then the projections or tongues 41 and 41a. and 24 and 24a are removed from the slots in the decks 4t and I2 after which the side panels and end panels of iii the two sections may be disassembled. If so desired the legs 16 may also be removed by removing the screws 26 since the vertical portions 15 of the legs it are merely slidably inserted in the cavities 14 provided therefore in the lower surface of the lower deck it. It is evident that the rails 3t and 52 should be removed from the respective notches 3i and of the panels of their respective sections it and ii before disassembling the panels.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and although specific term are employed they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claim.

I claim:

A collapsible display rack including a pair of superposed sections, the upper section being smaller in lateral and longitudinal dimensions than the lower section and each of the sections comprising a deck, a pair of spaced end walls and a pair of spaced side walls having their lower edges supported on the deck of a section, the end walls each having a pair of spaced notches extending from the lowermost edge thereof and terminating intermediate the vertical height of the end walls, the side walls each having a pair of spaced notches therein extending from the uppermost edge thereof and terminating intermediate the lower edge thereof, the notches in the end walls and the side walls having a combined length equal to the height of the walls so th end walls and the upper walls may be interfitted with respect to each other, each of said decks having transversely extending slots therein disposed in alinement with the end walls, said end walls each having a tongue on the lower end thereof penetrating said slots in the deck, each of said tongues having a slot therethrough and a wedge driven through said slots in the tongues to thus hold the lower edges of the walls in position against the upper surface of the corresponding deck so the end and side walls of the rack will be disposed in fixed relation to the deck, the end walls and side walls of each section projection outwardly to points adjacent the outer edges of the deck of a section, said end and side walls being spaced inwardly from the outer edges of said decks so as to expose portions of the upper surface of the decks adjacent the outer edges thereof for reception of articles to be displayed, and the deck of the upper section being rabbeted adjacent its side and end edges and interfitted within the confines, and an endless rail encircling the upper portions of the end walls and side walls and, fitting snugly thereagainst.

WOFFORD B. TURNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 454,772 Sagar June 23, 1891 1,968,880 Ebert Aug. 7, 1934 2,366,676 Rosenthal Jan. 2, 1945 2,481,671 John et al Sept. 13, 1949 2,526,246 Leeper Oct. 17, 1950 

